What's scarier - a woman in a burkini or a man in a suit?

A letter to a newspaper has gone viral by putting the recent burkini controversy into perspective.

A man named Henry Stewart wrote to UK paper The Guardian after reports emerged of a burkini ban being enforced in France, prompting other European countries to discuss a similar move.

The ban specifically targeted women - men in wetsuits similar to burkinis were not to be persecuted under the same law.

"No woman in a burqa (or a hijab or a burkini) has ever done me any harm," begins Mr Stewart.

"But I was sacked (without explanation) by a man in a suit. Men in suits missold me pensions and endowments, costing me thousands of pounds. A man in a suit led us on a disastrous and illegal war."

In some French towns, the burkini ban was enforced by armed police. It had been introduced as a response to recent terrorist attacks in Europe carried out by Islamic extremists, despite none being carried out by women in burkinis.

As well as singling out former UK prime minister Tony Blair, Mr Stewart highlights other 'men in suits' who have negatively impacted on his life.

"Men in suits led the banks and crashed the world economy. Other men in suits then increased the misery to millions through austerity. If we are to start telling people what to wear, maybe we should ban suits."

Since it was published, Mr Stewart's message has been shared widely online.